Mediation for the resolution of conflict can be best illustrated in cases where a positive outcome is seemingly intractable. However, mediation, effective dialogue and progressive and collaborative negotiation can break deadlock. Cases that involve environmental disputes are good examples of this. In 2014, CEDR Founder President Dr Karl Mackie CBE mediated a case under the […]

As a mediator who regularly encounters deadlock, I am accutely aware of the value of the ‘High Noon’ moments for negotiators stuck in impasse. Normally it’s a critical moment where the parties come face-to-face with the harsh realities of deadlock. In this moment they are faced with frustrated business or economic goals; a sense of […]

Is negotiation an art or science? Can you teach someone to be a great negotiator or is it an innate skill? How do you truly achieve quality in negotiation? During my time at CEDR, I have come across a range of negotiation styles and approaches. I recently spoke to a very experienced senior negotiator who […]

Why techniques in team communication can make a difference in stressful situations Love Island, the break-out reality TV show of 2017, now in its third week of the new 2018 season, looks to repeat its success by showing us couples’ relationships in turmoil. However, the show is only partially about romantic attachments, it also explores […]

An Embassy and Brexit: Case studies in the use of Neutrality and Impartiality – The Double Edged Sword Watch James South talk about An Embassy and Brexit – Different Sides of the Impartiality Coin in our latest CEDRtalks vlog here. Fundamental to being an effective third-party neutral is in the name; neutrality or impartiality. These concepts […]

What we nowadays call “mediation” is the practice of acting as a third party neutral between two or more groups or individuals in conflict to facilitate dialogue, improve the quality of conversations and find a settlement that satisfies the needs of all parties. Whilst the professional practice started in the early 20th century, the practice […]

71 countries across 4 continents. 65% of the world’s population. 1/3 of Global GDP. 4 – 8 trillion USD overall investment. These are just a handful of the eye-watering numbers associated with one of the largest infrastructure and investment projects in history – China’s One Belt One Road (OBOR) Initiative. Coined as the modern day […]

When trawling the annals of the internet, you never know what you will find. But, every so often you stumble across a gem. Buried in the BBC archives, my scattershot googling led me to this: The Search for Agreement – Mediation (2000) on the BBC World Service, Global Business. For some at CEDR and the […]

With one year to go until the UK leaves the EU, we’ve analysed some of the twists and turns of the Brexit negotiations so far. March 2017 – And we’re off – Theresa May announces the Brexit date for 2019 This was the equivalent of forcing your entire family onto a rollercoaster because some of […]